Bullpen Reshaping
The Angels have made strategic moves ahead of Opening Day to rebalance their bullpen. In a notable trade, the team exchanged left-handed pitcher Jose Suarez for former top prospect Ian Anderson, who will now serve in a relief role. Manager Ron Washington highlighted the benefit of adding another right-hander as the club has been loaded with left-handed arms.
Strengthening Right-Handed Depth
Continuing their effort to fortify the bullpen, the Angels signed reliever Carl Edwards Jr. on a minor league contract. The 33-year-old pitcher, who saw limited action last season but recorded a 3.69 ERA over 31.2 innings with the Nationals in 2023, presents an opportunity to provide additional innings from the right side. His versatility in Triple-A, where he has worked both in relief and as part of the rotation, suggests the team can utilize him in various roles.
Performance and Future Prospects
Edwards, who has a solid track record with a career ERA near 3.54 and a balanced strikeout-to-walk ratio, faced a setback last season due to a stress fracture in his right shoulder. Despite a brief outing for the Padres and a challenging appearance with the Friars, his overall experience across six teams, accumulating 280 major league innings, supports his potential for a productive return. The move aims to provide the Angels with stability and fresh energy in the bullpen as they prepare for the season ahead.